Elizabeth Pantley is a parent educator, mother of four, and the author of the now-classic baby sleep book, The No-Cry Sleep Solution, as well as six other books in the series, including The No-Cry Separation Anxiety Solution, The No-Cry Potty Training Solution, The No-Cry Discipline Solution, The No-Cry Picky Eater Solution, plus other successful parenting books. She is known worldwide as the practical, reasonable voice of respectful parenting.

There are times when you can prevent a child from losing control of his emotions, and ward off tantrums before they even begin. If you modify the situation that leads up to a meltdown you can keep your child calm and happy. Here are some tips to preserve the peace:

As if it isn't challenging enough to raise children, most parents believe myths that make them feel confused and inadequate. These horrible myths can spoil the joy of raising your children. You may have never realized how intensely these beliefs affect you, but they do. After you identify the myths that color your daily life, learn the truth about each one. By acknowledging that these myths exist in your life, you take the first step towards eliminating them. Learning the truth will erase your doubts and leave you open to learning effective new ways of raising your children.

Heading off to daycare or preschool, and leaving Mommy or Daddy behind for the first time is a colossal milestone in a child’s life. There is no exact method for figuring out which child will happily wave and run off to play and which one will take one look at the new surroundings and superglue himself to a parent’s leg. If yours is one of those superglue kids, here are some ideas to help him loosen his grip and enjoy his new experience.
Take small steps to your separation goal

In the first year of life your baby needs lots of sleep (13 to 18 hours a day!). Sleep is necessary support for your little one’s rapid growth and development. But your baby doesn’t know that! He exists in the moment and responds to his body’s needs and the environment. Many parents don’t realize that their baby’s sleep needs are powerfully driven by instinct and by understanding and responding to his cues sleep can be a very easy, pleasant process. When your baby is tired, he’ll sleep – but only if the conditions are right. If not, he will fuss and cry about not sleeping.

Bringing a new life into this world carries with it an awesome responsibility. Parents ensure the physical growth of their child through proper nourishment. They build the foundation for emotional stability through a strong relationship with their baby built on love and trust. They promote the intellectual development of their child by talking, reading, and providing opportunities for discovery and exploration. And last, but certainly not least, parents are responsible for guiding their child along the path of spiritual and moral development.